Marshall vs URI WrapUp

Aaron Perkins

09/08/2014

Ten Months ago, Marshall fans, staff, and players assumed that their next home game would be just one week later for the CUSA championship against Rice. However, due to some number crunching, and rules interpretations that still to this day leave people scratching their heads, that did not happen. Marshall finally got to play that next home game this past Saturday against Rhode Island.

Rhode Island would be playing their first game of the year, and the Herd would be in game two following a week one win at Miami of Ohio, 42 to 27. The weather forecast throughout the week showed that it would most likely rain, however, the radar map when Marshall fans woke up on Saturday morning was clear. As the day rolled along though, the Thunder and the rain clouds rolled right on in as well.

A couple hours prior to kickoff, as Marshall fans lined up in impressive fashion in the West Tailgating Lot for the Player Walk, it was announced that due to weather, the walk would be cancelled. Shortly after fans returned to their respective tents, and parking spots, the skies opened up and the first of two monsoons hit. The roads were flooded, as were tailgate tents, and grills, but that did not stop a crowd of over 25,000 to get ready to head into the Joan for a kickoff that turned out to be delayed by thirty four minutes.

Marshall’s offense got off to a slow start on the scoreboard, but not in the stat book. The defense, on the other hand, was stingy right from the beginning, in fact, at one point in the fourth quarter, the Rams had just managed 80 total yards of offense.

Marshall, scored early, then did not score again until later on in the second quarter and took a 17 – 0 halftime lead. Turnovers, and a fourth down stand prevented the score from being worse.

Marshall came out strong in the third quarter, scoring twenty one points. By the end of the night, the final read 48 to 7, and the Herd had rang up 724 yards to the Rams 175.

Next up for Marshall is the annual Battle for the Bell against the Ohio Bobcats from just up the river in Athens, Ohio. Kickoff time is set for noon, and a big crowd is expected as the weather looks great. The current forecast calls for a high of 69 degrees and a zero percent chance of the wet stuff.

Other Notes:

Rakeem Cato passed for 267 yards and two touchdowns, he also rushed for 143 yards on 9 carries and scored another touchdown.

Devon Johnson rushed for 139 yards, breaking the 100 barrier for the second consecutive weekend.

Many people are saying the Herd was sloppy and may not be ready to live up to pre season expectations. It would be safe to assume the coaching staff will be ok with being “sloppy” as they put up 724 yards on just 81 plays.

Marshall rushed for 439 yards.

The following players received their first playing time in Green and White: Gunnar Holcombe, Hyleck Foster, Gator Green, Donaldven Maning, Brandy Byrd, Raheem Huskey, Tom Collins and Tomell One.

Highly rated safety recruit Kendall Gant racked up three tackles including one bone jarring hit late in the contest.

Corey Tindal led the defense with 6 tackles and two impressive pass break ups.